Cell / molecular / biomedical
Ecology / organismal
Cell / molecular / biomedical
Ecology / organismal
Cell / molecular / biomedical
Ecology / organismal
BUT… the basic principles underlying both are exactly the same!
There is more crossover in these disciplines than ever before
Two kinds of reasoning (or logic) are used in scientific research:
Inductive reasoning: takes a specific example and induces that is can be implied to a much larger group
Deductive reasoning: starts with a general principle and deduces that it applies to a specific case
Generally…
Every day, I get in my car to leave for work, at 8:00am. The trip takes 45 minutes, and I arrive at work on time. If I leave for work at 8:00am today, I will be on time.
Today, I left for work at eight o’clock and was on time. Therefore, every day that I leave the house at eight o’clock, I will arrive at work on time.
Every day, I get in my car to leave for work, at 8:00am. The trip takes 45 minutes, and I arrive at work on time. If I leave for work at 8:00am today, I will be on time.
Today, I left for work at eight o’clock and was on time. Therefore, every day that I leave the house at eight o’clock, I will arrive at work on time.
All dogs are mammals, and all mammals have kidneys. Therefore, dogs must have kidneys.
Hamsters, cats, humans, and platypuses have kidneys. All of these animals are mammals. Therefore, all mammals have kidneys.
In many areas of biology, model organisms are used to gather information that can be applied more generally to other organisms
Society has decided it is ethical to perform experiments on animals that benefit human society
Based on observation and analysis of data:
The scientific process is ongoing.
Science does not prove ideas
Instead, it works by rejecting hypotheses based on supporting and refuting evidence to advance understanding
Findings are tentative since the REAL explanation may not have been considered
Science is based on the principle that any idea, no matter how widely accepted, can be overturned if evidence warrants it
Both are extremely important to drive scientific and technological advancement
Examples of basic research:
An investigation into the symptoms of diarrhea.
An investigation into the secondary symptoms of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
Examples of applied research:
An investigation to determine the healing properties of mushrooms.
An investigation to determine the side effects of alcohol consumption.
Science and technology rely on each other to provide benefits for society
The place research is being conducted determines the kinds of questions that will be investigated